Spotify has named Ayra Starr the biggest female Afrobeats artist of the past 12 months. The streaming platform rolled out its list of the Top 5 Female Afrobeats Artists, and the Nigerian singer sits right at the top.
Ayra’s climb has been steady but striking. In just a few years, she’s gone from being a teenage newcomer at Mavin Records to one of the most-streamed female artists out of Africa. Over the last year, she has been everywhere; her album The Year I Turned 21 turned personal stories into anthems, while songs like Rush, Comma, and Rhythm & Blues carried her voice across borders.
Why Ayra Topped the List
Streaming doesn’t lie, and Ayra Starr’s numbers show just how much her music has traveled. Her catalogue has crossed 2.7 billion streams across all credits on Spotify, with her latest album The Year I Turned 21, pulling in over 1 billion streams on its own. Rush sits at more than 470 million plays, while tracks like Santa continue to push past the 700 million mark.
On TikTok, dance routines and edits gave her music a second life, keeping it in constant circulation. At festivals, from Lagos to Paris, she proved her songs connect just as strongly live. Spotify’s ranking is simply a reflection of that consistency.
But it isn’t only about the hits. Ayra’s personality and fashion-forward image have built a strong identity that resonates with younger fans. She’s a Gen Z artist in every sense, fluent in how to merge music, visuals, and digital culture. That connection is part of why she now stands at No. 1.
Who Else Made The List
Alongside Ayra Starr, the list features Tems, Libianca, Aya Nakamura, and Darkoo. Each has carved out their own lane over the past year. Tems with her unmistakable voice on global stages, Libianca riding the success of “People” into a lasting career, Aya carrying Afropop into French pop culture, and Darkoo holding down the UK scene with her Afro-fusion style.
Together, they paint a picture of how Afrobeats is being carried forward by women with distinct sounds and stories.
A Moment for Women in Afrobeats
For years, the conversation around Afrobeats leaned heavily toward the men. Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido. But Spotify’s recognition of these five women shows how much has shifted. Female artists are now part of the movement, and they are leading some of its biggest moments. Ayra Starr taking the top spot is proof that listeners worldwide are ready to embrace her as one of the genre’s defining voices.
What’s Next for Ayra
This recognition from Spotify adds to the momentum Ayra already carries. She has hinted at more collaborations in the pipeline, and her touring schedule shows no signs of slowing down. As she continues to push her sound into new spaces, the title of Spotify’s biggest female Afrobeats artist feels less like a peak and more like a step in a much larger journey.
